I challenge the 2010 Census to invest more money in the African American community to get a complete count. I applaud what they have done in the Latino and Asian communities. I know that with equal investment in the African American community they will receive equal results: a more complete count.

Recently Danny Bakewell, Sr., President of the National Black Publishers Association called for more resources to be invested by the U S Census on the count of the African American Community. This is a request that ought to be a part of the U S Census mission if we are serious about the count of all American citizens in every community.

We must be persistent in getting our community counted in the current Census!

The short, 10-question form--which arrived in your mailbox this March--must be postmarked and mailed by the April 13th deadline. Residents who fail to respond can expect a call or visit from a census-taker, so mail in your forms today. It is important that each person in your household be counted. If you have not received your form by April 10th, go to your local Be Counted Center partners (government agencies, local library and churches) 2010Census.gov website. As a vivid reminder, on April 10th, African America individuals will take part in the March to the Mailbox initiative to bring attention to the deadline date.

Your participation is not only required by law, it's vital to our community's future. The results of the national population tally decide the allocation of more than $400 billion in federal funds each year--money Los Angeles depends on for schools, hospitals, roadways, fire and police stations and more. Without doing your part by filling out the census forms, our infrastructure would suffer, and critical funding for health care, day care and job-training could dry up.

What's more, census data are used to determine government representation. An accurate headcount ensures that your needs and interests are on California's--and Washington's--radar, and the 48th District gets the aid and attention it deserves. And with the new, shorter questionnaires, participating couldn't be easier. Ten minutes' time promises 10 years of reward.

Despite the myriad benefits, however, there remain those worried their responses could be used against them. But they needn't fear: The Census Bureau maintains the strictest of privacy policies. Federal law (Title 13, U.S. Code) prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing personal information with anyone, be it the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or any other government agency.

We must be persistent!!! I received a notice telling me my census form is coming. But, it has yet to arrive. If I do not receive it soon, I will personally go to the nearest census office in our community to make arrangements to get a form!!!

With nothing to lose and everything to gain, there's no excuse not to participate. Fill out your form and send it in today. For more information on the 2010 Census, call my office at (213) 744-2111 or e-mail me at
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